Assistant Planning Director

City of Saratoga Springs•Saratoga Springs, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Planning Director assists in administering, managing, and coordinating the City's Planning & Zoning Division. The role provides professional and managerial leadership for current planning, long-range planning, development review, Land Development Code administration, major planning initiatives, and staff operations. It is a key leadership position that provides technical and managerial guidance to planning staff and exercises supervision over Planning Department staff and other assigned support employees or consultants. The Assistant Planning Director takes on responsibilities delegated by the Planning Director and may serve as Acting Planning Director during the Director's absence when designated. The position does not independently establish City policy or make major discretionary policy decisions outside its established authority. Significant policy, legal, budgetary, or politically sensitive matters are coordinated with the Planning Director and, when appropriate, the City Attorney, City Manager's Office, or other authorized City officials. The role offers the opportunity to help shape Saratoga Springs, a rapidly growing community with significant undeveloped land, large master-planned communities, and a projected build-out population exceeding 120,000. The work includes complex development projects, community and village plans, transportation, parks and trails, long-range planning, development agreements, annexations, rezonings, and Land Development Code improvements, while supporting quality of life, open space and natural resources, parks and trails, transportation, and vibrant neighborhoods and commercial areas. The position's schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with alternate Fridays off. Work involves office and field settings, computer use, driving to meetings and appointments, and occasional exposure to outside weather conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, City and Regional Planning, Community Development, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
With a bachelor's degree, seven years of experience in planning and development, particularly related to municipal government operations, including at least three years as a team leader and significant project-management experience.
Alternatively, with a master's degree, at least five years of experience, including at least three years as a team leader and significant project-management experience.
AICP certification; applicants who do not possess it must be able to obtain it within 18 months of hiring.
Valid Utah State driver's license.
Knowledge of state codes related to land development and public notices.
Knowledge of general municipal government operations, particularly procedures relating to the Mayor's and City Council's duties and responsibilities.
General PC computer operations, with an emphasis on planning and development programs.
Ability to interpret and consistently apply complex development regulations.
Strong understanding of planning processes, procedures, and best practices.
Ability to analyze complex planning issues and develop practical, defensible recommendations.
Strong leadership, supervisory, mentoring, and team-building skills.
Concise and effective communication skills, including correct use of English language and vocabulary, and excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to interact with the public professionally, pleasantly, and courteously in all situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission, City department heads, citizen committees, coworkers, and supervisors.
Ability to communicate technical planning concepts effectively to elected and appointed officials, applicants, staff, and the public.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and identify and escalate issues requiring higher-level direction.
Commitment to consistency, professionalism, transparency, and high-quality customer service.
Successful completion of pre-employment drug testing, proof of employment eligibility, and a background check.

Responsibilities

Assist in establishing division priorities, workload assignments, schedules, and performance expectations.
Monitor development review workloads, staffing levels, and operational needs, and recommend adjustments as appropriate.
Supervise assigned staff and provide direction, coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
Identify training needs and recommend staff development opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, workflows, efficiency, and customer service.
Promote consistency, professionalism, and accountability throughout the Planning & Zoning Division.
Provide oversight and technical guidance on complex development applications and ensure consistent application of the Land Development Code.
Review significant development proposals and staff recommendations before presentation to the Planning Commission or City Council, as directed by the Planning Director.
Coordinate with Engineering, Public Works, Building, Legal, GIS, and other City departments on significant development projects.
Participate in meetings with applicants, property owners, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding complex development proposals.
Promote consistent interpretation and application of City development regulations and adopted policies.
Manage or oversee major master planning and community planning projects.
Assist with transportation, parks and trails, land use, housing, economic development, and other long-range planning initiatives.
Lead or assist in translating adopted plans and policy initiatives into Land Development Code amendments, development standards, programs, and implementation strategies.
Research planning, land use, and development issues and recommend appropriate policy or regulatory changes.
Prepare or review staff reports, ordinances, policy recommendations, presentations, and other materials related to planning policy and regulations.
Ensure proposed regulatory changes are consistent with adopted plans, City policies, and applicable state law.
Attend Planning Commission meetings, public hearings, City Council meetings, and other public meetings as assigned.
Help ensure planning recommendations presented to decision-making bodies are accurate, consistent, well-supported, and clearly communicated.
Coordinate with City departments and outside agencies on land use, development, infrastructure, transportation, public facilities, and community planning matters.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected and appointed officials, applicants, consultants, developers, property owners, and members of the public.
Provide planners with constructive feedback and technical guidance on code application, staff reports, development review, and customer communication.
Help ensure appropriate issues are escalated to the Planning Director, City Attorney, City Manager's Office, or other appropriate authority.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Several health insurance options, including one with a $0 employee premium payroll deduction with Wellness program participation.
Dental insurance.
Life and long-term disability insurance.
Employee Assistance Program, including short-term mental health counseling services for the whole family.
Free Teledoc program for the whole family.
Monetary incentives for Wellness program participation.
Health savings account with an employer match.
Optional vision, accident, hospital, critical illness, and additional life insurance coverage.
Flexible spending accounts.
Participation in the Utah Public Retirement System pension.
Employer contribution of 6.2% of salary to a 401(k) retirement plan in lieu of the City's Social Security contributions.
120 hours of paid time off accrued annually.
40 hours of short-term medical leave accrued annually.
11 holidays annually.